On Saturday, February 29, 2020, the second annual Fossil Free Fredericksburg youth-led climate conference was held at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford!
This energetic and informative event drew over 250 participants, included 8 educational sessions and highlighted 17 environmental groups who participated in the tabling event; for the first time, a kids’ activity station, a community/businesses environmental-based product raffle, and some session recordings were included! Additionally, our wonderful “green” break was hosted by the Rappahannock Group Sierra Club and the CFHS National Honor Society. We were also able to purchase T-shirts for the planning committee, volunteers and speakers by courtesy of the Munch family of Alexandria.
FFF student members, CFHS seniors Catherine Webbert and Makayla Wright, led the planning and implementation of this event. Brooke Point senior Emma Devine coordinated the tabling event, and Jessi Israel led the kids activities. Needing some guidance/information (but little help!), they were mentored by Environmental Science teacher Konrad Heller and FFF Steering Committee member, Julie Lee Kay. Other high school students from North Stafford HS, Mountain View HS, and Brooke Point HS were actively involved; James Monroe HS students participated the day of the conference. The event was even certified as a Virginia Green event!
It was a magical day of learning, sharing, and unity as we strive to lessen the effects of climate change through education and advocacy. For those of you who missed sessions, you may find recordings of some sessions on YouTube.com. Many thanks to the incredible group of students who worked for months to make this a huge success. We are so proud of all of you!
Note: Next year, we hope to have the conference either at James Monroe HS or return to the University of Mary Washington.
Fossil Free Fredericksburg 